���˿���

Their attendance is part of a move to increase engagement and co-operation between the Scottish Parliament and other legislatures.

Welcoming the opportunity to strengthen ties with the Nordic countries Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, said:

“We continue to build engagement between the Scottish Parliament and other key European legislatures. Sharing experiences with, and learning from, other parliaments is an important objective for us.

“Given the strong historical and cultural ties between Scotland and the Nordic countries, the region is of particular interest to us. This visit builds on co-operation between the Parliament and the Nordic Council at COP26 on the role of parliaments in scrutinising action on climate change.”

Ms Johnstone added:

“Our increased engagement is a signal of how importantly we value our relationship with the Nordic region. Nordic countries share many of our priorities. Many of their parliaments are of a similar size and structure to the Scottish Parliament, and we have much to learn from each other.”

In October, Deputy Presiding Officer Liam McArthur led a delegation to Reykjavik for meetings in the Althingi, Iceland’s Parliament, as well as attending the Arctic Circle Assembly.

The assembly is the largest network of international dialogue and co-operation on the future of the Arctic, attended by more than 2,000 participants from 50 countries included Iceland, the Faroe Islands and the wider Nordic region.